Angola and Mozambique were the central characters in the first match of the Senior Men World Championship, in Pool B. In a game that was expected to be evenly matched, especially due to the team’s performance in the opening minutes, Angola ended up being more successful in the course of the game, beating 5-2 the Mozambican team (0-4 at half-time).
Angola scored first in the African classic, by André Centeno and, with the advantage in its favour, began to manage time, lowering the game's intensity and attempting to surprise on the counterattack.
In the second half, the Mozambicans sought to add more depth to their attacks but failed to score. With 0-5 on the scoreboard, Mozambique benefited from a direct free shot due to Angolans' 10th foul, which was converted by Mario Rodrigues, giving his team some motivation. Both teams tried to attack, but Angola kept the game controlled and showed all its strengths. Mozambique's second goal came just five seconds before the end of the match, signed by Filipe Vaz.
In the second match of the men's competition, Italy showcased all its skills and tactical prowess by defeating Chile by 3-8 (1-5 at half-time), in the first game of Group A.
The Italians showed plenty of initiative from the start, with a constant rotation and long-range shots. Four minutes before the end of the first half, the Squadra Azzura was already leading 0-5, opting then to play further back, which gave the Chileans some opportunities which they failed to score.
The second half didn't bring much of a change to the match, with Italy continuing to dominate and scoring three more goals before the end.
Portugal began the defence of its world champion title with a 5-1 victory over France, (3-0 at half-time), in the third match of the day. The French team initially tried to play on the counterattack, but Portugal assumed the game with more ball possession and being more cohesive in its defence and attack. The first goal was scored at minute 20, by Gonçalo Alves. One minute later, Hélder Nunes scored the second for the Portuguese team.
Portugal kept using its most advanced players, attempting to open the game more, playing on its opponents back, and creating serious difficulties to the French defence - which had a few opportunities, but always found Girão, who managed to deny the Gauls intentions. With 10 minutes left in the first half, João Rodrigues scored the 3-0 and set the result at half-time.
In the second half, France created more danger situations, in a first few minutes of great intensity. The French team tried to respond and assume the match, but Portugal kept focused and concentrated on its game, managing to annul the opponent's moves, and scoring two more goals that closed the scoreboard for the Portuguese. One minute before the end, Anthony da Costa scored France's first and sole goal.
At the end of the day, what an exciting rink hockey match, worthy of a final, with the Aldo Cantoni completely sold out, cheering the debut and victory of the host team over Spain, by 4-2 (2-1 at half-time).
Argentina started the match having more ball possession, with the Spanish team waiting for counter-attacking opportunities. A long-range shot by Ignacio Alabart gave the lead to Spain, at minute 21. Carlos Nicolía entrance accentuated Argentina's domain, however, this did not reflect in the scoreboard with Nicolía himself failing to score a direct shot.
Lucas Ordoñez tied, at minute seven: after a first save by the Spanish goalkeeper, Ordoñez scored on the rebound, to the delight of the crowd at the Cantoni. Three minutes later, Pablo Alvarez scored the second for the host team, closing the scoreboard at half-time.
In the second period, the intensity of the game did not diminish. Spain benefited from a penalty shot at minute 16, scored by Pau Bargallo. The joy of the Europeans lasted only 10 seconds: Ordoñez scored the 3-2 and placed Argentina back in the lead with a powerful long-range shot.
From then on, there were moments of great intensity, with Argentina seeking to increase the advantage and Spain fighting hard to turn the score, with both goalkeepers denying several opportunities for each side. With just over two and a half minutes left in the game Ordoñez, again scored his third goal in the match and sealed Argentina's victory.
1st matchday - Monday 7th November - Venue: Estadio Aldo Cantoni
15:15 (ART) - 19:15 (GMT+1) - Gr. B - Mozambique x Angola = 1-5
17:30 (ART) - 21:30 (CET) - Gr. A - Chile x Italy = 3-8
19:45 (ART) - 22:45 (GMT) - 23:45 (CET) - Gr. A - Portugal x France = 5-1
22:00 (ART) - 02:00 (CET) - Gr. B - Argentina x Spain = 4-2
Standing Group A: Italy and Portugal 3 points
Standing Group B: Angola and Argentina 3 points
2nd matchday - Tuesday 8th November - Venue: Estadio Aldo Cantoni
15:15 (ART) - 19:15 (CET) - Gr. A - France x Chile
17:30 (ART) - 21:30 (CET) - 22:30 (GMT+2) - Gr. B - Spain x Mozambique
19:45 (ART) - 22:45 (GMT) - 23:45 (CET) - Gr. A - Italy x Portugal
22:00 (ART) - 02:00 (GMT+1) - Gr. B - Angola x Argentina
Intercontinental Championship Men.
Colombia defeated 9-2 Israel (5-1 at half-time) in the first game of the Intercontinental Championship Men. Camilo Trujillo scored four of the nine Colombian goals, and in the second game, Australia surprised and tied 4-4 with Andorra. Switzerland beat Brazil 6-3 (2-4 at half- time). Highlight for the Swiss player Pascall Kissling, who scored five goals for his team. In the last game of this competition, Germany won Austria by 1-4 (0-0 at half-time).
1st matchday - Monday 7th November - Venue: Estadio La Superiora
13:30 (ART) - 19:30 (GMT+3) - Gr. A - Colombia x Israel= 9-2
15:30 (ART) - 19:30 (CET) - 5:30 (GMT+11) - Gr. B - Andorra x Australia = 4-4
17:30 (ART) - 21:30 (CET) - Gr. A - Brazil x Switzerland = 3-6
19:30 (ART) - 23:30 (CET) - Gr. B - Austria x Germany = 1-4
2nd matchday - Tuesday 8th November - Venue: Estadio La Superiora
13:30 (ART) - 17:30 (CET) - 3:00 (GMT+11)- Gr. B - Australia x Austria
15:30 (ART) - 21:30 (GMT+3) - Gr. A - Israel x Brazil
17:30 (ART) - 21:30 (CET) - Gr. B - Germany x Andorra
19:30 (ART) - 23:30 (CET) - Gr. A - Switzerland x Colombia
Standing Group A: Colombia and Switzerland 3 points
Standing Group B: Germany 3 points, Andorra and Australia 1 point
Challengers Championship
In the first game of the competition, New Zealand beat Mexico 6-1, Uruguay had some difficulties winning South Africa 3-2 and, in the last game, the USA won Egypt with a 5-2 result
1st matchday - Monday 7th November - Venue: Estadio Marcelo Garcia
14:00 (ART) - 6:00 (GMT+13) - New Zealand x Mexico = 6-1
16:00 (ART) - 14:00 (CDMX) - 19:00 (GMT) - Uruguay x South Africa = 3-2
18:00 (ART) - 23:00 (GMT+2) - USA x Egypt = 5-2
Standing: New Zealand, USA and Uruguay 3 points
2nd matchday - Tuesday 8th November - Venue: Estadio Marcelo Garcia
14:00 (ART) - 19:00 (GMT+2) - 6:00 (GMT+13) - Egypt x New Zealand
16:00 (ART) - Mexico x Uruguay
18:00 (ART) - 21:00 (GMT+1) - U.S.A. x South Africa
Detailed statistic World Championship Men
MOZAMBIQUE - ANGOLA = 2-5 (0-4, 2-1)
Mozambique: Alves, Castanheira, Pinto B, Vaz (C), Rodriguez M - Esculudes, Nabais, Junior, Simoes, Baloi - Coach: Neves J
Angola: Veludo, Centeno (C), Payero, Mendes, Pinto J - Diogo A, Bernardino, Silva A, Tavares, Alexandre - Coach: Belbruno
Scorers: 1st: 5'51" Centeno (A), 10'17" Mendes (A), 14'24" Bernardino (A), 21'27" Mendes (dir.shot) (A)- 2nd: 8'34" Pinto J (A), 12'28" Rodriguez (M), 24'55" Vaz (M)
Penalties: 1st: 21'27" Pinto B (2') (M), 23'54" Mendes (2') (A)
Referees: Diaz (Spa), Mayor (Spa)
CHILE - ITALY = 3-8 (1-5, 2-3)
Chile: Garcia D, Castro, Marquez, Fernandez N, Rojas - Osorio, Diaz, Contreras, Fernandez J, Martin - Coach: Quintanilla
Italy: Gnata (C), Ipinazar, Verona, Ambrosio, Cocco - Compagno, Gavioli, Malagoli, Banini D, Zampoli - Coach: Bertolucci
Scorers: 1st: 1'23" Ambrosio (I), 8'28" Ambrosio (I), 17'57" Malagoli (I), 18'43" Compagno (I), 20'43" Verona (I), 21'38" Marquez (C) - 2nd: 3'53" Verona (I), 6'00" Gavioli (I), 13'03" Fernandez N (C), 16'35" Gavioli (PK) (I), 22'35" Marquez (C)
Penalties: 2t: 13'03" Malagoli (2') (I)
Referees: Morisio (Arg), Fernandez (Arg)
PORTUGAL - FRANCE = 5-1 (3-0, 2-1)
Portugal: Girao, Costa, Alves, Nunes G, Magalhaes - Rodrigues (C), Rafael, Pinto, Souto, Henriques - Coach: Garrido
France: Bonneau, Di Benedetto B, Herman, Di Benedetto R, Di Benedetto C (C) - Le Berre, Da Costa, Le Berre, Le Roux, Savreux L, Chambel - Coach: Savreux F
Scorers: 1st: 4'12" Alves (P), 5'58" Rodrigues (P), 14'14" Rodrigues (P) - 2nd 9'35" Nunes (P), 21'38" Rafael (P), 23'32" Da Costa (F)
Referees: Fronte (Italy), Ferraro (Italy)
ARGENTINA - SPAIN = 4-2 (2-1, 2-1)
Argentina: Acevedo, Platero, Romero, Ordonez, Nicolia (C) - Alvarez, Mena, Pascual, Martinez, Grimalt - Coach: Paez
Spain: Fernandez, Alabart, Bargallo (C), Barroso, Perez - Font, Roca, Torres, Aragones, Malian - Coach: Cabestany
Scorers: 1st: 3'28" Alabart (S), 17'19" Ordonez (dir.shot) (A), 20'23" Alvarez (A) - 2nd: 8'37" Bargallo (S), 8'48" Ordonez (A), 22'14" Ordonez (A)
Penalties: 1st: 9'57" Font (2') (S), 17'19" Torres (2') (S), 18'17" Ordonez (2') (A) and Perez (2') (S) - 2nd: 3'19" Roca (2') (S), 8'34" Romero (2') (A)
Referees: Torres (Por), Duarte (Por)